Mahabalipuram

The next day I left for my trip to the Dakshinachitra village where I would be doing the Art of Living retreat.  However, instead of going straight to Dakshinachitra, which is about an hour and a half from Chennai, we drove an additional hour south and spent the afternoon in Mahabalipuram.  Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, is a place known for its beautiful temples.  Despite the heat, we all enjoyed seeing the detailed monuments that were mostly rock-cut and sculpted from granite. 

While visiting the temples, we were swarmed by women and children trying to sell us things.  Every time we got off the bus they would follow us around until we got back to the bus.  It was difficult to get around without feeling overwhelmed.  Even if we bought something from them, we would continue to be harassed to buy more or to buy something from someone else.  It was especially difficult because we were told not to even acknowledge them because if we did they would never leave us alone.  It is hard to do this because it goes against everything I’ve been taught about recognizing and valuing everyone’s human dignity.  Ignoring another human being and not even allowing him or her to make eye contact with you is counter-intuitive to everything I’ve ever known about how to treat others.

In contrast to this experience was the interaction I had with an Indian family who was visiting the temples.  Although they hardly spoke English, we were still able to communicate with each other.  I continue to be amazed at how much can be communicated through body language and how much can be told through the eyes.  I’m constantly writing about the language “barrier” that I’ve experienced on this trip.  However, it is hardly a barrier.  In fact, words are often the barrier that can get in the way of establishing connections with others.  Our words can mask how we really feel, but our bodies don’t lie.  Coming from someone who talks a lot, it can be scary and uncomfortable not to use words.  When we cannot use words, we are much more vulnerable.  However, we are also more open to forming deeper and more meaningful relationships with others when we communicate with our hearts instead of our minds.  This trip has opened my eyes to a beauty and intimacy that I’ve always known existed but do not experience nearly enough in my day to day life back home.  This closeness I’ve felt with people from all over the world has inspired me to find this intimacy with people back home, in both the important relationships I have with my family and friends as well as those connections I make with people on an everyday basis.